as in oblique
running in a slanting direction
the leaning tower of Pisa is a popular tourist attraction in Italy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in direction
a prevailing or general movement or inclination
the news media are often accused of having liberal leanings
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in tendency
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing
despite what his athletic leanings might suggest, he was actually a very lazy kid
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in tilting
to set or cause to be at an angle
just lean the ladder against the tree and climb up it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tending
to show a liking or proneness (for something)
the family's diet leans toward greasy food
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in relying
to place reliance or trust
you can always lean on me if you need help
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of leaning
Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
In the years since, researchers found, the group maintained smooth relations with the government as its more than 1,000 chapters nationwide encompass Egyptians of all political leanings.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Besides, the media ecosystem already sports several large conservative news outlets and dozens of right-leaning media personalities.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leaning
Noun
Crooks appeared to have acted alone and did appear to hold any to any particularly strong political leanings.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
In the years since, researchers found, the group maintained smooth relations with the government as its more than 1,000 chapters nationwide encompass Egyptians of all political leanings.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
Diet Coke isn’t the only brand leaning into the nostalgia of yesteryear.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Besides, the media ecosystem already sports several large conservative news outlets and dozens of right-leaning media personalities.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leaning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaning
Adjective
-
Standout additions included the Isidora pointy pumps with oblique block heels — especially striking in a bicolor patent version — and the brand’s first sneakers.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The Seahawks began the game without outside linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (quad), then lost outside linebacker Derick Hall (oblique) after the first drive, while the Bucs started backups at right guard and right tackle.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Swim in a direction following the shoreline.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Add pasta; cook according to package directions for al dente.—
Elizabeth Mervosh,
Southern Living,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This is presumably a reference to Perkins' status as a closeted gay man, something Hitchcock likely knew, and not because Perkins had homicidal tendencies.—
JR Radcliffe,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
They were supervised, or not supervised, or supervised in such a way that their worst tendencies were encouraged instead of discouraged.—
Jennifer Gonnerman,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Something, the researchers said, must be disturbing these orbits and tilting them.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Lifting the controller and swinging it swiftly down hammers steel at Atsu’s family forge, gently pulling the trigger urges a campfire’s tendrils higher, while tilting it this way and that lowers mushrooms further into that fire for cooking.—
Alyssa Mercante,
Rolling Stone,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Not on his wife’s behalf but, rather, for the fact that he’d been given this luxury, had spent his life tending to his mind in the space that his wife had cleared for him.—
Ayşegül Savaş,
New Yorker,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Low-income people also struggle to afford the healthy foods doctors recommend such as fresh produce, tending toward cheaper, higher-calorie options.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But relying on a 35-year-old, who was already showing signs of decline with diminishing velocity, to return to being one of the best pitchers in the sport after Tommy John surgery, is a risk.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Instead of relying on smelting or harsh acids, Endolith’s microbes attach to the ore and pull out the copper faster.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Lloyd showed off his athleticism from there, returning the pick 99 yards for a turn-the-tide touchdown.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Fall in South Florida is not marked by changing leaves, but by rising tides.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As Tuchel attested, England’s inclination to regain possession was as impressive as their work on the ball.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
-
But Iapetus’s inclination and equatorial ridge — which is more continuous on the Saturn-facing side — remain mysterious.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Leaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaning. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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